Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

I purchased this lens for a month long trip to the Alaskan wilderness. This single lens suited all my needs perfectly for wildlife photography during that trip and the photos are sharp.

Focus is certainly slower than the fixed length Nikon telephotos I have used so I do not recommend this lens for action sport photography. However, its 200-500mm zoom range and much lighter weight make this lens ideal for shooting wildlife all day with only a single lens and camera. You travelled much further and faster with this lightweight set-up. This is the use that my recommendation is based upon.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

I bought this lens instead of the Nikon 300mm f/4 for two reasons: price and zoom capability. Before purchasing I rented both lenses and that's when the advantage of the zoom became apparent. I use this lens mostly for fairly close-up bird photos and the zoom range is perfect for my situation.

The Nikon is a great lens, probably the sharpest I've ever used, but the results I've seen with the Tamron leave nothing to be desired. I can finally see all of the detail that was unattainable when cropping photos taken with a 70-300mm zoom. I have a D300 and even at ISO 800 the level of detail is remarkable.

When you consider the cost of the Tamron with the zoom capability versus Nikon + teleconverter + replacement collar, the savings are significant. The only feature on this lens I wish for is VR (for the occasional hand-held shot) but it really isn't critical. Focus can be slow at times but under those conditions I'll use manual focus mode and continue to get great results. I couldn't be more pleased with the photos I've taken with this lens and if Tamron releases a VR version of it I'll be happy to stimulate the economy a bit.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

I'm an active wildlife photographer/writer published. Lost my first lens in a boat fire two years ago and finally replaced it this year. Can't imagine why I waited so long. It's a wonderful value and a great match for my Fuji S-3Pro. Able to hand hold at 500MM and get crystal clear focus at high ISO. Would buy another in a heartbeat.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

For the price it cant be beat,I have just started using it so I don't have a good feel for it yet.But what I have seen so far I like, it is a little soft but that works for me.
I hope this helps BTW it comes with a very nice bag it carry it in.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

I love adventure travel and photographing people, places, and wildlife (especially in the winter). Many of the animals are accessible only on skis, or snow shoes, and even then at distances that require long telephoto lenses. Our recent photo shoot in Yellowstone highlighted one of the problems that might not be encountered in other settings. We had Nikon 300mm 500mm lenses but to grab one on the run, tripod and all, was virtually impossible. Also, there is a gap in the range between the 300 and 500 fixed lenses when a zoom lens would have been useful—especially when tracking a moving animal. I resist using zooms because the do reduce resolution and crisp sharpness. However,my recent tests have provided adequate results to make the lens a worthwhile investment. With my Nikon D3 and D300 I get excellent results and sharpness at high speeds and high ISO where the 500mm lens also missed the mark. The lens weighs just over 2 lbs. so I can carry it with the D3. It does not require a really heavy tripod and I don't have to apologize for the very slight softness at 500mm. The attached photo is a 150ppi 3x3 inch section of a 9x15 300ppi photo. It was shot, hand held, down an alley at 1/650 s, f/6.3, ISO 1000. The truck and kids were 2 blocks away and moving—about the distance of a wolf pack in the wild. You can't make "huge" prints, but you get the picture.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

I have owned this lens for about a year and it has proven to be a very solid performer. It is sharp all the way through wide open. Stopped down it is even better. Easily hand held if there is enough light available howevever I generally use a monopod or tripod. Great for birds and wildlife. I also use this lens for motorcycle racing.I would not hesitate buying this lens again.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

This has turned out to be a terrific lens. I knew from reviews that it was lighter than the "bigma" (Sigma 50-500mm) and sharper at 500mm. This lens and my 18-200 Nikon on my D200 are all I need in zooms. I was hesitant to hand-hold at first, but I had to have a fast shutter speed to capture sports, so I had no motion from holding the lens. I will shoot at either ISO 400 or ISO 800, depending on how sunny or cloudy the day is, and that speed gives me enough headroom to capture the action. The 2.5X zoom range is extemely practical. Sometimes I use a monopod to help support the weight. Excellent sharpness and contrast without noticable CA.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood for Nikon AF D - with 6 Year USA Warranty:

This is a great lens for catching birds and wildlife from a distance. It is a bit heavy, and a tripod should be used for most shots. Hand held is ok when there is enough light and you can use a fast shutter speed.

This lens is not as sharp when wide open, but it gets much sharper when stopped down.